Signor Fortini was among those who thought and reasoned thus. But in
the several interviews which he had had with the Marchese Ludovico,
he had not judged it judicious to enlarge to him on this part of the
subject. While assuring him that he might make himself perfectly
easy, and that his innocence in the matter would beyond all doubt be
fully recognised, he had preferred to lead him to imagine that the
result of the trial would be altogether negative; that it would be
found that no case that would warrant a conviction should be made
out against any party.
Signor Logarini had meanwhile made one or two more excursions to the
Basilica of St. Apollinare. But he had gained nothing by his pains.
The padre Fabiano was on each occasion found in bed, no whit better
to all appearance than he had been on that day when the police
Commissary and Signor Fortini visited him together. Nor had Signor
Logarini's persevering cross-examinations availed to obtain anything
more from the aged friar than repetitions of his first statements.
Nevertheless the Commissary was confirmed more than ever in his
opinion that the friar knew something; if he could only be made to
speak. Still it had been determined not to attempt to bring the old
man by force before the tribunal. There was every reason to think
that nothing would be obtained from him in addition to what he had
already said.
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